Can a Windows Phone Web demo win over iPhone and Android users?

In a bid to put the Windows Phone user interface in front of more potential …

Keen to get consumers to take a look at Windows Phone, Microsoft has released a browser-based demo of its smartphone operating system for iPhone and Android users. The Web site gives users of these competing platforms a taste of the Windows Phone look and feel.

The Web site is not an "application" in any sense; it's an HTML and JavaScript mock-up of the Windows Phone user interface, populated with dummy data. There are eight sections in total: phone, people (contacts), messaging, e-mail, calendar, a pinned contact group, Local Scout, and pictures.

Each section gives you a brief walk-through, with on-screen prompts showing where to tap or swipe next to see the next screen, and each shows off some of the features that makes Windows Phone a little different from Android or iOS: the Facebook integration, face tagging, application integration, inbox linking, and so on.

At the end of each walkthrough, you can return to the Start screen, or click through to see a list of phones to buy.

Apple's latest Windows Phone device

A few of the iPhone and Android users here at the Orbiting HQ have given the site a spin to see if they might be tempted away from their platforms of choice.

The feelings were mainly positive, but perhaps not positive enough. Managing Editor Eric Bangeman, who can't imagine switching from the iPhone, said that the demo was well done, giving it "9 [out of 10] for quality and how it's pulled off", and the demo made him "slightly more interested"—but he rated this interest only as 6 out of 10, adding that he'd "never switch."

Ars contributor and iPhone user Chris Foresman called it a "slick demo" that works "surprisingly well," though the narrow scope meant that he only got a "limited feel" for how platform's interface works. Overall, the demo was "a really good way to introduce potential new users to the UI paradigm". But as a happy iPhone user, it wasn't enough to make him consider making the switch himself; while he rates the Windows Phone interface above those of webOS and Android, he still regards the iPhone as the king of the hill.

The limitations of the demo were also an issue for the iPhone and Android-using Ryan Paul. Although he found the demo "interesting," there were "fundamental questions" that it didn't answer. One of the concerns he had as a potential switcher was the quality of the Web browser, and similarly the quality and availability of third-party software. Neither of these can be found in the demo. He also found the experience of the demo less than compelling, due to the performance of the Nexus One device he used: animations were missing or slow, and scrolling was jerky. He had no such concerns when using the demo on an iPhone 4S.

Senior IT Reporter Jon Brodkin liked the site, and found Windows Phone's "different take on organizing data and applications" interesting. Brodkin added that he could see himself "using Windows Phone instead of Android"—if only he were still using Android. After using the platform for more than a year, he grew tired of reliability and stability issues, and he switched to the iPhone a few months ago. He says he's now "unlikely to switch," due in particular to the iPhone's "good backup and restore process."

Associate Writer Casey Johnston, who has used all three platforms, had mixed views. On the one hand she thought it was lacking as it gives "no idea of performance," but on the other, thought it was nonetheless valuable, because it shows off the design which is "kind of cool." It increased her interest in the platform, though the fact that the demo was so regimented and "on rails" put her off somewhat. Using a new Motorola RAZR, she had none of the performance problems that Ryan Paul suffered.

Our Creative Director Aurich Lawson was a little less impressed. "I'll tell you what [the demo] made me do: never want to use a Windows Phone phone." He wasn't a fan of the interface: "Everything is too big, or cuts off, it all feels super inefficient in general." Aurich did have one useful tip for iPhone users wanting to give it a spin: make the link into a homescreen bookmark so that it can be used with the chromeless Safari, for a more authentic experience.

So not a resounding success there. But with the exception of Aurich, most views were warm, if not exactly gushing. The demo probably won't be enough to make anyone drop their current smartphone and switch—but it might be enough to make them give Windows Phone a second look come upgrade time.